FremantleMedia have partnered with Australia Zoo and Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin to develop new opportunities in television and licensing globally. The agreement will see FremantleMedia appointed as the international multi-platform entertainment partner.

FremantleMedia will be exploring global opportunities in television production, distribution, home entertainment, consumer products, live events, and digital platforms. Initial creative discussions have included new filming opportunities with Terri, Bindi, and Robert Irwin, as well as activity around existing brands Australia Zoo, Crocodile Hunter, Bindi the Jungle Girl, Wildlife Warriors, and The Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve. The deal respects the rights of the current partners and provides an outstanding platform for future development of the brands globally.

FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world, with a comprehensive global network and operations in 22 countries. Its worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes, and FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offers a one-stop-shop for all licensing, distribution and home entertainment around the world.

Terri Irwin, Director of Australia Zoo, said, “Australia Zoo and Bindi, Robert and I are excited about the partnership opportunities with FremantleMedia and the filming projects we’re about to embark upon that will help to continue Steve’s legacy and educate the world about wildlife.”

Jon Penn, CEO Asia Pacific, FME, brokered the deal and commented, “We’re delighted to welcome Terri, Bindi and Robert Irwin and the Australia Zoo team to the FremantleMedia family, we have huge confidence in the scope of potential and look forward to creating some truly entertaining brand experiences for fans around the world.”

Steve and Terri Irwin filmed over 300 episodes of The Crocodile Hunter, Croc Diaries, Croc Files, New Breed Vets, Ghosts of War and starred in the feature length film The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course. These programmes have been seen in more than 140 countries by 500 million viewers worldwide. More recently, their daughter Bindi Irwin has won critical acclaim, along with a Daytime Emmy for her show Bindi the Jungle Girl, and has just starred in her first movie Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove. It was Steve Irwin’s ultimate goal to bring wildlife conservation to the world’s stage through education and entertainment; his family and the Australia Zoo team continue to make that dream happen.